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Russia: Really Part of Europe?

Most of Russia’s land lies in the East, but most of its people live in the West.

October 17, 2014

1. About three-quarters of Russia’s landmass lies on the Asian side of the Urals.

2. In contrast, about 78% of Russia’s population lives on the European side.

3. In other words, the European part of Russia has three-fourths of the entire countries population — and one-fourth of the land area.

4. As a result, the population density of Russia’s two continental regions is vastly different.

5. European Russia has a population density of about 26 people per sq. kilometer — which is only about a tenth of Germany’s 229 people per sq. kilometer.

6. Meanwhile, Asian Russia’s population density is only 2.5 people per sq. kilometer. — one of the least densely populated regions on earth.

7. Two of European Russia’s cities, Moscow (12 million) and St. Petersburg (5 million), account for 12% of Russia’s total population of 143 million.

8. Moscow and St. Petersburg also play a significant role in the Russian economy, accounting for about 25% of the country’s GDP.

Source: RussiaPedia by Russian Times and analysis by The Globalist Research Center

Takeaways

About three-quarters of Russia's landmass lies on the Asian side of the Urals.

Russia's Asian population density is only 2.5 people per sq. kilometer.

Two of Russia's cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, account for 12% of Russia's total population.